John Tavares Two Points Away From 1,000 for Career, Could Reach Milestone Against Former Team as Maple Leafs Visit Islanders, Where to Watch

Originally posted on Toronto Maple Leafs on SI
By David Alter | Last updated Dec 11, 2023 8:38 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in Long Island, New York as they begin a pair of games in the New York area beginning with a contest with the New York Islanders on Monday.

There's usually a focal point on John Tavares anytime the team returns to the Island. The Maple Leafs captain was selected first overall by the Islanders in the 2009 NHL Draft and chose to leave the club for the Maple Leafs on July 1, 2018. Since that time, Tavares' return has typically been meant with heavy boos from Islanders fans, particularly anytime the player touches the puck.

But now Tavares returns just two points away from a significant milestone. He has 998 NHL points after picking up a secondary assist in Toronto's 4-0 win against the Nashville Predators.

In typical Tavares fashion, he hasn't liked talking about the milestone leading up to it. But with this also being the father's trip, picking up 1000 career points against your former team would be quite the moment.

The Maple Leafs did not hold a practice on Sunday and will hold a full morning skate at UBS Arena where the lineup will come to form. It's expected that the lineup would remain the same, including Ilya Samsonov likely starting in goal following his 18-save shutout performance on Saturday.

The Islanders currently sit in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division with a 12-7-7 record. After a difficult start to their season that included a seven-game losing streak New York is now 7-1-2 in their last 10 games. Mathew Barzal is leading the club with 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists).

To be updated...

Where to watch

Viewers in Canada can watch the game across the Sportsnet network and on Sportsnet+. In the Islanders region, the game is on MSG+. For the rest of the United States, the game will be streamed on ESPN+

Viewers around the world can stream the game on NHL LIve.